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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 04/19/2011MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting April 19, 2011 - 12:00 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Joe Adame Mayor Pro Tem Nelda Martinez Council Members: Chris Adler Larry Elizondo, Sr. Kevin Kieschnick Priscilla Leal John Marez* Mark Scott Linda Strong *Arrived at 1:29 p.m. City Staff: Interim City Manager Margie C. Rose City Attorney Carlos Valdez City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Adame called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Council Member Leal requested that a special prayer be given for her ill mother, Refugia Gonzalez. The invocation was delivered by Reverend Miriam Berger with Christus Spohn Health System and the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag was led by Council Member Strong. City Secretary Chapa called the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council and the required charter officers were present to conduct the meeting. Mayor Adame called for approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of April 12, 2011. A motion was made and passed to approve the minutes as presented. ************ Mayor Adame called for consideration of the consent agenda (Items 2 - 5). There were no comments from the public. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 2.a. RESOLUTION NO. 029028 Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to accept a grant of $80,000 from the Texas Department of State Health Services to provide diabetes prevention and management services and to execute all related documents; and to ratify acceptance of the grant to begin as of March 30, 2011. The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. 2.b. ORDINANCE NO. 029029 Ordinance appropriating a grant of $80,000 from the Texas Department of State Health Services in the No. 1066 Health Grants Fund to provide diabetes prevention and management services. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting April 19, 2011 — Page 2 An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. 3. MOTION NO. 2011-092 Motion authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a construction contract with Jhabores Construction Company of Corpus Christi, Texas, in the amount of $748,276 for construction of the Veterans Cemetery Effluent Lift Station and Force Main Effluent Line for the Base Bid. (CIP 2010-2011) The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. 4.a. ORDINANCE NO. 029030 Ordinance appropriating an amount of $95,750 from the Unreserved Fund Balance in Fund No. 4300 for the Storm Water Manhole Ring and Cover Adjustment Project; changing the FY 2010-2011 Operating Budget adopted by Ordinance No. 028683 to increase appropriations by $95,750. An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. 4.b. MOTION NO. 2011-093 Motion authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a construction contract with RCM Constructors, Inc., of Corpus Christi, Texas in the amount of $426,600 for the Wastewater Service Line Repair and Clean -Out Installation and Manhole Ring and Cover Adjustment Program FY2011. The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. 5. ORDINANCE NO. 029031 Appropriating a $5,381 grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service in the No. 1067 Parks and Recreation Grants Fund for the Senior Companion Program. (First Reading — 04/12/11) The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its second reading with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 7 regarding the naming of the beach and the section of the seawall adjacent to the Windward Drive parking lot. Director of Intergovernmental Relations Rudy Garza explained that this item was spearheaded by citizens working together to honor and memorialize longtime island resident and founder of the Padre Island moon Newspaper, Michael J. Ellis. Mr. Garza stated that the ordinance allows the Council to waive naming provisions; name the beach directly in front of the seawall as the "Michael J. Ellis Beach"; and name a portion of Minutes — Regular Council Meeting April 19, 2011 — Page 3 the seawall as the "Michael J. Ellis Seawall". Mr. Garza reported that the citizens are working with the property owners to name the entire section of the seawall in honor of Mr. Ellis. Council Member Scott informed the public that the Honorable Jerry Patterson with the Texas General Land Office provided a letter endorsing the concept. Mr. Scott thanked Dave and Beth Yonke, Dale Rankin and Kyle Garrison for their work on this project. Mr. Scott stated that he had a lot of respect for Mr. Ellis and Mr. Ellis was a great friend. Mr. Scott also reported that the Island Strategic Action Committee (ISAC) passed a resolution endorsing the naming. Council Member Adler stated that this was a great day and acknowledged the work performed by Mr. and Mrs. Yonke to move this project forward. Ms. Adler stated that the naming is a nice tribute to Mr. Ellis. Council Member Strong stated that Mr. Ellis was a notable figure on the island and dedicated his life to the betterment of the area. Ms. Strong recognized the audience members present in support of the naming. Council Member Martinez spoke regarding the compassion of the citizens that cared for Mr. Ellis and stated that this was a great way to honor such a good man. Council Member Leal thanked Commissioner Patterson for his letter of support and expressed sorrow for Mr. Ellis's loss. Mayor Adame stated that the soul of a community is how we treat each other and this is a great example of how Mr. Ellis treated people in a special way and now the community is coming together to honor him. Mayor Adame called for comments from the audience. John White, Vice Chair of ISAC, stated that ISAC voted unanimously to support the naming. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, thanked everyone involved in the concept. Mr. Alonzo stated that this item is an example of citizens giving unselfishly to the community and encouraged people to give as much to the community as possible. Dale Rankin, owner of the Island Moon, thanked the Council for their support to honor Mr. Ellis. Dee Ellis stated that the family was proud to have Michael as a brother and that Michael loved the beach, the City, and the people on the Island. Mr. Ellis thanked the Council on behalf of the family for their consideration. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 7 FIRST READING ORDINANCE Waiving Council Policy 6.c; naming of the beach adjacent to the seawall abutting Windward Drive in Corpus Christi as "Michael J. Ellis Beach"; and the naming of the section of the seawall adjacent to the Windward Drive parking lot as the "Michael J. Ellis Seawall". The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its first reading with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 8 regarding an amendment to the Advance Funding Agreement with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Port of Corpus Christi for the decorative lighting of the Harbor Bridge. Director of Intergovernmental Relations Rudy Garza provided a background of the initial agreement specifications and explained that once TxDOT found vendors, both the costs and the ten-year warranty were unachievable. Mr. Garza highlighted the changes in the parameters of the agreement including the change in construction costs; warranty only provided for the first five (5) years; and the Port opening an account for the lighting system and equally splitting the costs with the City. Mr. Garza also reported the donation of $300,000 to cover the total cost of the difference and marketing options to offset the cost of the maintenance. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting April 19, 2011 — Page 4 The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: the original funding for 10 -years of maintenance in the amount of $250,000; the annual maintenance costs for years six (6) through 10; marketing opportunities to offset the future responsibility for the maintenance costs; currently funding the cost share of $298,000; the private contribution; and specifying that any sponsorship funding be directed to the maintenance of the lighting. Council Member Kieschnick stated that he supported the project however could not support unnecessary funding due to the current budget shortfalls and committing future Councils to fund unknown maintenance costs. MayorAdame called for comments from the audience. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, thanked Mr. Garza for all his work and spoke in support of the project. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 8. RESOLUTION NO. 029032 Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Advance Funding Agreement with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Port of Corpus Christi ("Port") regarding decorative lighting of the Harbor Bridge, to increase project estimate from $1,864,000 to $2,191,280; adjust City funding participation from $298,000 to $598,000, and also provide for City and Port to equally share utilities and operation costs. The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Kieschnick voting "No"; Marez was absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Adame referred to Item 6, and a motion was made, seconded and passed to open the public hearing on the following street closure: 6. Public Hearing and First Reading Ordinance to consider abandoning and vacating a 25,743.96 -square foot portion (0.591 acres) of an undeveloped and unsurfaced 20 -foot wide, dedicated public right-of-way, out of Section 28, Lots 8 & 9, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm & Garden Tracts, said public right-of-way, being located south of the South Padre Island Drive (SH 358), and west of the Paul Jones Avenue, public streets rights-of-way; subject to compliance with the specified conditions. Assistant City Manager Johnny Perales explained that this request is for the closure of a 20 - foot wide public right-of-way on South Padre Island Drive between the Ennis Joslin extension and Paul Jones Avenue to accommodate future development and construction of a building in the area. No one appeared in opposition to the street closure. Mr. Kieschnick made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Scott, and passed. Mr. Chapa polled the Council fortheirvotes as follows: 6. FIRST READING ORDINANCE To consider abandoning and vacating a 25,743.96 -square foot portion (0.591 acres) of an undeveloped and unsurfaced 20 -foot wide, dedicated public right-of-way, out of Section 28, Lots 8 & 9, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm & Garden Tracts, said public right-of-way, being Minutes — Regular Council Meeting April 19, 2011 — Page 5 located south of the South Padre Island Drive (SH 358), and west of the Paul Jones Avenue, public streets rights-of-way; subject to compliance with the specified conditions. The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its first reading with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Leal and Marez were absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 9 regarding the Fire Station No. 5 Relocation project. Director of Engineering Services Pete Anaya referred to a powerpoint presentation including a background; project location; project scope; design team specific tasks; schedule; and costs. The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: whether the Fire Department is involved in the design of the project; if there is room for the fire truck that was awarded to the Miller High School Fire Science Academy; the joint use component for a classroom setting; and other plans for the old building or surplus property. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 9.a. FIRST READING ORDINANCE Appropriating $193,800 in the Fund No. 3350 "Public Health and Safety CIP Fund" from anticipated reimbursements to be paid by the Corpus Christi Independent School District in accordance with the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, for the demolition, clearance, and other charges associated with the relocation of Fire Station No. 5; changing the FY 2011 Capital Budget adopted on March 8, 2011 by Ordinance No. 028995 to increase revenues and appropriations by $193,800 each. The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its first reading with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. 9.b. MOTION NO. 2011-094 Motion authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a professional architectural services agreement with Solka Nava Torno, Inc., of Corpus Christi, Texas in an estimated amount not to exceed $211,810 for Fire Station No. 5 relocation project. (BOND ISSUE 2008) The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 10 regarding the Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy and Sustainability Plan Technical Energy Audit. Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez explained that this item was Project 2 of the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant. Mr. Martinez referred to a powerpoint presentation including the selection process; background on McKinstry Essention, Inc.; the project scope; the process over the next 90 days; the delivery schedule; and outcomes to expect. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting April 19, 2011 — Page 6 Scott Johnson, McKinstry Essention Inc., explained that the agreement is an energy service performance contract and the utility savings will pay for the project. Mr. Johnson emphasized that the project is budget neutral. A representative from McKinstry provided information on the successful outcomes of other projects and the upgrade suggestions for the American Bank Center. Mayor Adame called for comments from the audience. In response to Abel Alonzo, Assistant City Manager Martinez stated that this project is similar to the concept approved by the Nueces County Commissioners Court. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 10. MOTION NO. 2011-095 Motion authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a Professional Services Contract with compensation not to exceed $-0- with McKinstry Essention, Inc. of Dallas, Texas for Technical Energy Audit Services for selected City facilities, subject to the City's future execution of a feasible Energy Performance Contract. The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, Martinez, Scott, and Strong, voting "Aye"; Marez was absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Adame referred to Item 11 regarding the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Quarterly Destination Marketing presentation. Keith Arnold, CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, referred to a powerpoint presentation including nature tourism; the Suter Refuge signage; CBV and Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA) participation at the Capital; nature tourism national recognition; Family Traveler's choice award; media advertising; comprehensive website redesign; website; Mobi website; interactive marketing; the beach and bay guide; certified tourism ambassador; convention sales acceleration program; convention sales super booking; STR report on hotel occupancy; and hotel occupancy tax (HOT) collections. Mr. Arnold also recognized CVB staff members present in the audience including T.J. Carpenter; Michelle Horine; Regina Garcia-Posada; and Claudia Huerta. The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: the impermeable Suter Refuge signage; measuring the responses from media advertising; the Mobi website; the average daily rate for hotels; and whether the website shows access points for wade fishing. Mayor Adame referred to Item 12 regarding a presentation on the immediate and future space needs for the Police Department. Interim City Manager Rose stated that she requested that this item be placed on the agenda to share with the Council the activities that the Police Department has been engaged in to address the immediate needs of the Police Department and future considerations. Police Chief Troy Riggs referred to a powerpoint presentation including a review of building space needs; a summary of current rental payments; the total annual Police rental payments; review of locations and recommendations; available City property including the Williams Drive Clinic; old Police headquarters; public safety warehouse; other offices to relocate out of NCAD: future considerations to relocate other offices from main Police headquarters to the Central Library and the new Police Training Center. Director of Libraries Herb Canales and Assistant Director of Public Health Aurora Parlamas were available to respond to questions. Mr. Canales stated that he invited the Police Department to use the extra space at the Central Library to save the City money currently and long term. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting April 19, 2011 — Page 7 The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: whether the public meeting rooms would be affected with the Police Department using the 2nd floor of the Central Library; if the entire Central Library building is up to Fire Code including the 3rd floor; staff recognizing the potential saving for utilizing existing City facilities; the possibility of the FBI moving out of the assembly point building on Saratoga and other options to offset those costs; additional space needed for Municipal Court; a policy for long term lease space; and the possibility of moving the uniform assembly point to the new Fire Station being built at Saratoga and Ayers. Council Member Martinez requested a presentation on the additional space needed for Municipal Court. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Adame called for petitions from the audience. Beverly Wallace spoke regarding the original building of the Central Library and the private financial assistance donated to the building. Ms. Wallace said she was supportive of the Police Department using extra space but would prefer the back entrance be utilized by the Police Department. Ms. Wallace asked that the Library stay open for the children. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, stated that the community needs to look at the whole picture and what is in the best interest for the City. Mr. Alonzo thanked all the people that have donated time and funding to the Central Library; however, stated that the library is not a private entity and belongs to the entire community. Margaret Moss asked the Council to respect the integrity of the Central Library and stated that the people that donated time and money have inspired the community to contribute to the other libraries. Jana Miller Longlois, 242 Bayshore Drive, stated that she was adamantly against the closure of the Central Library. Ms. Longlois said that dosing the Central Library sends the message that the City does not ,care about literacy and would deter downtown growth. Robert Carter, 4957 Nell, stated that the Neyland Library does not have enough space to move staff and not suitable as a central library. Mr. Carter spoke in support of keeping the Central Library open. Carolyn Moon, 4902 Calvin, spoke regarding the failure of communication to the citizens about the library issue. Ms. Moon stated that the City would look shabby without the Central Library and the City needs to be careful not to show that Corpus Christi does not care about literacy. Manuel Abarca, 6702 Everhart, spoke about the Central Library being a cultural instrument for the City and is in opposition to closing the Central Library. John Sloan, 709 Schooner Harbor, spoke in support of keeping open the Central Library and stated that the library is a key part of the City's infrastructure. Mike Staff, 3122 Leopard, stated that the Central Library is a beautiful facility and a police presence would be great for the Police Department. Mr. Staff added that the Police Department does not want to take over the Central Library and that options for the library are being discussed based on economics. Mr. Staff added that the Police Department and the Library are working together to save money and occupy City space. Mary Ann Anzadula, 2925 Soledad, spoke regarding a request for a speed bump to be installed on her street for safety reasons. * * * * * * * * * * * * * There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Adame adjourned the Council meeting at 2:32 p.m. on April 19, 2011. ************* I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council of April 19, 2011 which were approved by the City Council on April 26, 2011. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 26th day of April, 2011. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL